Degreasing system



- A. L. KOCH 1,938,841 DEGREASING SYSTEM I Filed Janis, 19:50 zsheets speet 1 Fig.1.

mwsmox Arfhur' L; Koch 74km. any

ATTORNEYJ'.

Dec. 12, 1933. A. 1.. KOCH) DEGREASING SYSTEM Filed Jan. .9. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

INVENTOR,

Arfhur L. Koch. BY M 51.7

ATTORNEY so and permitieg Patented Dec. 12, 1933 DEGREASHNG SYSTEM Arthur L. Koch, Elisabet h, N; 31, essiguor Carrier Research Corporation, Newark, N, 3., a

corporation of New Jersey Aoplicaiion January 9, 1939. Serial No, Mfilllii 14 Claims.

This invention relates to the removal of. grease and atelier siz osiezioes from surfaces of meterials, as, for metal castings, and more particularly to praeesses and apparatus for our e:- to plunge the part so be cleaned into the vapor loath alifi to take advantage of the maximum cliiiereriee iii b moeroture between the port and the T e eondeiising action causes the 7 .521 on the surfaces of the to be eleoue' The greater the nonsense,- isiou, the mo cleaning action, clue o to the eiieosiv action produced lav movemeat of e the surface the peril, However, reg, kuses the sloshing oeiiou, e

o is en irely absorbed by the solven" when part is dried, it.

similarly treated the residue rem lg removed the some em lines.

A. feature oi the invention therefore vesiales i the prov 1. o a vapor loath equipped for u: rooming fiGSiIEG. level a :ominuous plunging oi? goerts the Toethio effect speedy degreesing.

3 i'uztlier feature the invention e rate of evaporisoriioo or" o solvent used. the clegreosing operation, suificiently speedy to sol:- merge the peris to be eleenecla-ncl prevent slow heating up of the ports. By the arrangement provided the parts are immediately ooverecl, and since there is no pie-heating prior to complete suiimergenee, the condensing action is immediate so and productive of a great volume of liquid over flow means, integral with a vapor bath topre- I vent overflow oithe vapor, and to permit :re-use and maximum conservation of the solvent. Since the vapor, after it has once been used for degreasing, may still bevaluable, even though it may be dirty, provision is made for its maximum re-use during the cycle of operations.

(El. El-Ji) Other object-s emi features oover is eovsiii-eoes in construction one opereiiowwill from the following descriptions of typical of the invemion to be connection the eooompanying drawings in so Fig. l is o, diagreumietio illustration of en er mngemeni for degreesing incorporeniirig spy- 21: eon'bs invention,

Fig. 2 is s modification adapted partiouierl; for the degreesiiis' heavy pests and i1- "OTZDUIIMF @5 ing a modifiesl form of vapor satin reserve vapor chamber.

Considering the drawings, siesigiietious referring to vapor chamber in which iion tallies insulated o. si variously cons iering enrequires: capacity. lower than the oi; partition betu'eeio she ember chamber 3, sing made integral 3 rate unit se mented and forms ooziclensi or me Brio pen fl .oas -f i; s the By removing cover pies taken from the chem. o tar 15 leads from the emeooresor i i l. Shut-off valve 18 is loosieal in this vapor suoov line. The evaporator is: is provided with e 1? serving on air supply line leading there's-o and is equipped with host element and drain pipe and valve 19.

While evaporator 14 receives its solvent from as the eondensations in chamber 1, eve-pomioz 2G is provided for new solvent. Evaporator 2% has heel; element 21 and vapor supoly pipe 22 leading therefrom to chamber 1. Brain 2:; leads from the condensing chamber 3 to the vapov loo chamber 1 and thence through pipe 22 to the evaporator. Supply tool: 25 feeds evaporator 20 through supply line 24.

The cover 26 is provided for chamber 1.

In the operation of the arrangement of figure 1 solvent from tank 25 is fed through 24 to evaporator 20, where it is heated, the vazsors oassing through pipe 22 to chamber 1. As the vapor rises in chamber 1 it forces the air out, This air willcontain a small percentage of no densing coils 5, the remainder being removed at the top the tank by duct -6. The cover 26 may be used if desired while-the vapor level is rising and would direct the air in the vapor chamber to exhaust duct 6. However, the natural draft will usually be suflicient to pull the air to the duct. When the vapor chamber is filled the cover 26 is removed and the chamber is ready for degreasing operations. It maybe noted that overflow of vapor from chamber 1 will be condensed by the cooling coils in the condensing chamber and be returned in liquid form for re use.

When an object to be degreased is plunged into the chamber, the diflerence in temperatures between its surface and that of the bath will cause the vapors to condense. The plunging may be variously accomplished as by placing a group of objects within a net and dropping it within the bath, or by conveying objects on an endless belt with an arrangement for dipping the objects as they are conveyed over the-bath, or by dropping objects within the bath and removing them by hooks, pliers or the like. efiecting immersion within the vapor bath is immaterial so long as the plunging action is brought about to cause sudden contact between the cold object and hot vapor with resulting condensation. This'condensing action causes the clean liquid to come in contact with the grease on the surface and completely absorb it. The condensation action is suflicient to produce a considerable quantity of liquid which flows and drains from the part. As a result the condensing action produces a slushing action which removes the greater part of the dirt or dust on the oily suri'ace. It is evident therefore that there is not only a degreasing action but a cleaning action as well.

The condensed vapors rail to pan '7 which drains into chamber 10 through strainer 9. After the straining action the solution passes to tank 12 and thence into evaporator 14. Thesolution may then be re-used by application of heat through element 18. Since the boiling point oi the solvent used is lower than that oi the oil removed from the part, the vapors irom the solvent will be driven 011' while the oil will remain in evaporator 14. As shown, the vapors will then feed to chamber 1 for use in further degreasing operations.

Theoil in evaporator 14 may be removed by introducing compressed air within the'evaporator and iorcingthe oil out through pipe 19. During this operation the valves in lines 13 and 15 would naturally be closed. When the apparatus is started and the sides of tank 1 arecold, the vapors will condense and this clean solvent ,drained back through pipe 22 to evaporator 20. It cannot drain back to evaporator 14 because supply pipe 15 extends above the bottom oi. tank 1. So also, the clean vapors spilling over side-2 into the condenser will also drain back into evaporator 20.

By closing valve 27 the re-used solution may i be collected in tank 20 and prevented from draining directly into evaporator 14.

Thus, by

controlling valve 2'1 it is possibleto maintain a fibstantially positive level or liquid in evaporas The size or the chamber 1 may be designed to accommodate parts of any desired size or weight and still provide a reserve amount or vapor sufflcient to keep the parts covered at all times.

The manner of Engineering expediency will determine the rate of evaporation in order to prevent escape of vapor over the top of the vapor chamber and assure proper condensing action to take care of evaporation of the solvent may be varied to meet different demands, although it has been found in practice that a steam pressure not above twenty-eight pounds, or heating equipment using a temperature not greater than that of steam at twenty -eight pounds pressure, gives satisfactory results.

Considering Fig. 2, a modified arrangement is shown in which vapor chamber 1 is operatively associated with vapor storage tank 2. Evaporator 3 supplies vapor to tank 2 while evaporator 4 is used for re-generating the re-used solvent. Chamber 5 receives the drained solvent, as shown, and empties it within storage tank 7 Tank 6 provides solvent for evaporator 3. Condenser 8 serving chamber 2 and condenser 9 adjacent chamber 1, takes care of excess vapor as in the arrangement of Fig. 1. Cover 10 for chamber 1 is removable and may be positioned in any suitable manner. The chamber 2 need not be provided with a cover but has a vent 29, if desired. Chamber 1 may similarly be vented by means of 30'. Supply line 11 admits vapor from tank 2 to chamber 1. turn, supply generated vapor to chamber 2. To take care of condensation drainpipes 14 and 24 are. provided, whereas drain pipe. 15 admits condensed liquid in chamber 1 to evaporator 3. This condensed liquid drops from the walls usually and is clean. The dirty liquid is removed from pan 16 through pipe 27 to strainer 17 within chamber 5. Byremoving cover 18 the stainer may be taken out and cleaned. As indicated, the liquid from chamber 5, after entering tank 7 where it may be stored, is admitted to evaporator 4 through pipe 19. Steam line 20 which serves evaporators 3 and 4 may be controlled by valve 21. Thermostat 22 within chamber 2 is arranged to shut off the steam through valve 26 responsive to conditions within the chamber. Thermostat 23 in chamber 1 controls valve 25 to regulate the admission of vapor in chamber 1. The chamber 2 may also be provided with a cooling coil 28 to assure retaining in liquid state the solvent returned from condenser. 8 in its course to evaporator 3 and for emergency condensing. The solvent from chamber 6 enters evaporator 3 through pipe 31 controlled by valve 32.

Supply pipes 12 and 13, in

Solvent from tank 6 is evaporated in 3 and chamber 2, thermostat 22 will act-to stop evaporation of the solvent. Due to condensation in both chambers 1 and 2 the vapor level in each chamber may drop, especially when operation is firststarted. However, thermostats 22 and 23 operate tocontrol and maintain the levels. The

excess vapor in chamber 1' will be condensed in chamber 9 and drained back through pipe 24 to chamber 2. In clegreasing materials or parts, the plunging action in chamber 1 may cause the vapor level to fall, especially when heavy obiects are degreased. Valve 25 will immediately open and allow vapor from chamber 2 to enter and keep the part completely covered. The con densed Vapors draining from the part will be received by pan l6 and passed through pipe 27 within strainer 1'7. The strained liquid then proceeds to tank '2 and then to evaporator 4 for reuse. As in Fig. l, the solvent will boil ed and pass from evaporator 4 to chamber 2, whereas the oil, which is of a higher boiling point, will stay at the bottom and can be drained oil in any suitable manner.v

While applicant shows specific arrangements of apparatus for accomplishing his objects, it should be understood that the invention not limited thereto and any analogous means capable voir, a vapor chamber connected to said reservoir,

means for generating vapor for supplying the reservoir, means including cooling coils located behind a partition a desired distance above the bottom of the reservoir for maintaining a desired level of vapor in the reservoir and means including cooling coils located behind a partition at a desired distance above the bottom of the chamber for maintaining a desired level of vapor in the chamber.

2. in a system of the character described means for generating vapor, a chamber for collecting said vaporja second chamber connected to the first chamber and. open to the atmosphere for receiving vapor from said first chamber, first control means for regulating the supply of vapor fed to the first chamber and second control means 'for regulating the supply of vapor fed from the first chamber to the second chamber.

3. A degreasing system having means for generating a solvent into vaporous form, a chamber for collecting the vapor, a second chamber for receiving vapor from the first chamber, one of said chambers being uncovered, and means including cooling coils to which the vapors in said chambers have access for retaining desired vapor levels in both chambers, the vapor in one of said chambers being subjected to speedy condensation at intervals.

4. A degreasing system of the character described, having a chamber, means for vaporiz ing a supply of solvent to produce a vapor in the chamber, a compartment adjacent and insulated from the chamber and located a'desired distance above the bottom of the chamber, condensing means within the compartment, said compartment being arranged to receive an excess of vapor spilling over a side of the chamber, means for receiving condensed vapor from said compartment, means for separating foreign matter from said condensed vapor and means for reusing the chamber integral with the vapor chamber and,

located a desired distance above the bottom of the vapor chamber, cooling means within the condensing chamber, a partition between said chambers serving as a wall of each oi. the chambers, the remaining sides of said chambers extending to a level above the top edge of the partition.

6. A degreasing system'oi' the character described having a vapor chamber, another chamber located a desired distance above the level of the bottom of the vapor chamber and connecting with the vapor chamber adjacent the upper extremity thereof, condensing means in the other chamber for liquefying vapor entering therein, both of said chambers being open to the atmosphere.

Z. A degreasing system of tie character described having a vapor chamber, a vapor condensing chamber, containing cooling therein, adjoining the vapor chamber, the walls of said chambers being arranged so that vapor from the vapor chamber will spill within the vapor condensing chamber alt reaches a pre-- determined level within a. e vapor chamber, means for removing condensate from the con densing chamber, a vapor generator for receiving said condensate, and means. for removing condensate from the vapor chamlmr for regeneration.

8. In a degr easingsystem of the character dea vapor chamber, a vapor condens ng chamber, containing cooling means, connected with the vapor chamber to receive an overflow of vapor therefrom, means for removing condensate from both chambers for regeneration, and means for segregating the condensate received from one chamber i'rom' the condensate received from the other.

9. In a degreasing system of the character described, a plurality of vapor generators, means for supplying vapor from one of said generators to a, vapor chamber, means tor removing condensate from said vapor chamber and returning it tothe other of 'the generators, a condensing chamber, including cooling means, contiguous to the vapor chamber for receiving vapor overflowing from the vapor chamber and means for returning condensate from said condensing chamber to the first generator.

10. In a degreasing system ofv the character described, a vapor chamber, another chamber having cooling means and connecting with the vapor chamber for receiving vapor overflowing from the vapor chamber, a pan in the vapor chamber for receiving condensate and foreign matter precipitated during cleaning operations within the vapor chamber, means for removing the condensate and foreign matter to separating means means, said separating means comprising a conwithdrawing said liquid to a vapor generator and means in combination with the vapor generator for removing materials other than solvent, and

means for supplying vapor from said generator 7 to the vapor chamber.

11. A system of the character described comprising a chamber open to the atmosphere, means for vaporizing a liquid solvent, the vapor filling the chamber to a desired level, a partition integral with the chamber, condensing coils on one side of the partition. the vapor being adapted to spill over said partition and. be condensed by said condenser coils, so that the vapor in the chamber will not rise above the desired level.

12. A degreasing system having a vapor chamber, means for vaporizing a solvent to produce a vapor in the chamber, cooling coils and a partition for separating the chamber from said coils, said cooling coils being at a desired level above the bottom of the chamber and at a desired distance below the top of the chamber,

the chamber being open to the atmosphere.

13. A system for degreasing articles, compris ing a chamber, means for vaporizing liquid solvent and producing a vapor in the chamber, means for preventing the vapor from rising above a certain level in the chamber, said last means including cooling coils and a partition between the cooling coils and the chamber, the top of the partition establishing the vapor level in the chamber, the top of the partition being a desired dis- 

